Shape-Shifting - The Bane of Women Everywhere

Shape-shifting is something most women know about all too well, as the years pile on, so do unwanted pounds that-even among those who remain relatively slim-can literally change the body's contours. "One may go from an hourglass to more of a shot glass," says Dr. Pamela Peeke. She is a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, best-selling author and creator of the "Body For Life For Women Workout" DVD.
Not to mention understanding women's hormones, it's Peeke's assertion that recognizing what she calls "women's unique hormonal hard-wiring" is key to achieving and maintaining a peak body for life. There are four hormonal milestones involved.
1. Teens and Twenties.

• At these ages estrogen production rises. Generally women who were skinny teens may suddenly find weight going to their breasts, hips and thighs. It’s the time to build a strong fitness foundation that can last the rest of your life and a good time to build muscle tone and minimize body fat changes.

2. The Reproductive Years.

• We knew that if you enter pregnancy healthy and fit, you'll have a healthier nine months and a healthier baby. Whether you have children or not, at this term, your metabolism begins to slow down and you should add resistance training-weights-to keep your metabolism as hot as you can.

3. The Forties.

• This is a time of shape-shifting, fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels lead to a three- to five-pound potbelly, or menopot, for many women-on top of which toxic stress levels boost your food cravings. At this period, you need to regroup, ramp up your physical activity, examine your lifestyle and put things into balance.

4. Menopause.

• It's important to exercise the mind and body so that you stay sharp and keep fit. Get the resistance training and cardio-revving walks every day. At this period, your goal is to live a long and independent life by taking good care of yourself.

Whether you're 20 or 50, Dr. Peeke's new DVD can help you.